The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-03-08
FINANCIAL AND COMMERCIAL,
STATE OF TRADE.
(From Bradstreet's of saturday, Mich s.

(From Bradstreets of Saturday. Mich 81
Special kilograms TO Bradstreets from twenty
five cities report an Improvement in general trade
during the week. This has been favored by mild
er weather southwest and west Shows at the
northwest prevent much activity at the interior
The condition of the country roads throughout the
region indicated is better, but the mercantile col
lections are quite slow at st. Paul, Minneapolis
Omaha, Burlington Qowa), and st. Joseph Job
bers in staple lines at New York, Boston, Chicago,
Milwaukee, Minneapolis, st. Paul, st. Louis,
Kansas City, and New Orleans report better de-
mand for spring goods, though dry goods,
builders hardware, and some grocery staples
lead. The improvement at New Orleans is based
on the splendid crop prospect receipts of 1,1oo,-
600 bushels of grain and eighteen carloads of hog
products for export, with February customs re-
ceipts double those of February, 1886. At Phila-
delphia, Cleveland, Detroit, Memphis Omaha,
Burlington, Galveston and San Francisco the dis
tribution of general merchandise has not varied
materially during the week. At Cincinnati trade
has boon checked by the weather and high water;
iobbing has fallen off at st. Joseph owing to bad
roads, and at Savannah orders for spring goods
are declining. The activity in real estate contin-
ues at the larger Minnesota cities, at Omaha,
Kansas City, and ST. Joseph where values have
increased rs TO 100 per cent. within year. There
industrial and other employees throughout the
country.
The total bank clearings for January and Feb
ruary, as wired to Bradstreets from thrty-six
cities, are Ss,119,ooo,00o a gain over 1886 of 10
per cent, 80 per cent. heavier than in 1886 and
GA per cent. less than in 1884. Excluding New
York, and four cities with incomplete totals, the
two months clearings aggregate S2563, 900, or
10 45 per cent. over 1886. 27 per cent over 1885.
and 10 per cent. over 1884. Total clearings for
80 cities for this week aggregate 81 $50 600, 600,
or $l7so0O,t 90 more than last week. 20 per
cent.
The prospect OF an extra congressional session
tended 10 create uncertainty and depress the
New York stock market, and as soon as it an
peared that this action was unlikely more buoy
ant teeng asserted itself, with an advancing ten.
dency In prices. Transactions for the week were
l,441,48s shares, against 1857 ,917 shares. and
2,lh4,8S7 shares in the corresponding week in
1856. Bonds were more active. with a marked
advance in the first mortgage issues Of the Pacific
roads. Transactions for the week were 80 TOE
700 in amount, against 81, 1886 900 last week
Mess pork at Chicago has been dull since The
marginal price was fixed at SIS, but the corner is
stlll powerfully handled and speculation there in
grain and in other lines Of provisions has at last
responded in a measure to the influence Ct the
pork corner. II is reported that the squeeze is
being kept up to compel the bucket-shops and two
leading operators, believed TO be heavily short TO
cover. Lard and short ribs have sympathzed
most with the deal in pork Wheat is higher and
hmer ON heavier clearances, large decreases in
the visible and probable nearby requirements Of
The United Kingdom Pork has advanced Toe.
per barrel lard 2-5c. per pound, andlwheat ia G.
per bnshel. on the week. Flour is dull and 159
Zoe. lower at the northwest. Pacific coast crop
prospects are good There is no change in Amer